SPRINGFIELD – A new law championed by State Senator Doris Turner will strengthen school policies that protect access to service animals for students with disabilities.
“Students with service animals will no longer face setbacks because of a lack of understanding of the law,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “We have to ensure students feel welcome at school, no matter their needs.”
Students who need service animals in order to equally access public schools are protected under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Senate Bill 2761 will set the tone for school environments that value diversity and inclusion by adding training on the proper handling of service animals in the school setting to the ADA training teachers, administrators and school support personnel already receive.
Turner’s law came in response to an incident involving a Rochester High School student who utilizes a medical alert dog to manage her Type 1 diabetes – alerting the student when her blood sugar drops too low and helping her stay alive. In November, the student reported harassment from other students at a school board meeting, claiming her peers would step on her Labrador’s legs – hurting his hips – pull his tail, throw food at him and bark at him in the hallways. In a video posted by the student on social media, she spoke about the issues and said the school district has not taken action to protect her service animal.
“After meeting with the Rochester student, I knew we needed to take action on a long-overdue proposal so her teachers can access essential information about the protections she and other students are entitled to,” said Turner. “Students and families who rely on accommodations need to be met with compassion – not discrimination.”
Senate Bill 2761 was signed into law Friday and takes effect Jan. 1.
